Crown and Sceptre | Page 9

at the bottom, same as there was in the Manor
well."
"You are saying that to frighten me."
"No."
"Well, it sounded like it. Let's go on."
The two explorers of this hidden way went on down and down, with the
sounds made by their feet echoing strangely; but still there were fresh
steps, and the distance seemed in their excited state to be tremendous.
Scarlett, however, persevered, though his movements were slower and
slower; and more than once he turned back to hold the light as high as
possible, so as to gaze up at the way they had come, looking over his
shoulder, and still holding tightly by Fred's hand.
"We must be right down ever so much below the house," he said at last.
"Shall we go any farther?"
"Oh yes, I'd go on," replied Fred, quietly; and once more the two lads
gazed in each other's eyes as if looking for signs of fear.
"Come along then," cried Scarlett, manfully; and he went down and
down more steps to stand at last on level stones, a narrow passage
stretching out before him, while the stone walls and ceiling gleamed as
if slightly damp.
"Hold the light up a little higher, Scar," whispered Fred.
Scarlett raised his left hand to the full length of his arm; there was a
soft dab, and Fred uttered a subdued "Oh!" as his companion's right
hand grasped his with spasmodic violence.
For Scarlett had pressed the candle up against the stone ceding, and the

arched surface thoroughly performed the duty of extinguisher, leaving
them in total darkness.
Half a minute must have passed, during which they were stunned by
the horror of their position, before Scarlett exclaimed--
"Oh, Fred, what shall we do?"
There was no answer, Fred holding the other's hand tightly, and it was
not until the question was repeated that he uttered a low gasping sigh.
"We can find our way back," he whispered, in an awe-stricken voice.
"There's nothing to mind, for we can't go wrong."
"But we might take a wrong turning, and never find our way out."
"There are no turnings," replied Fred, stolidly. "Come along."
"Listen! Wasn't that something?"
"I don't hear anything, only the echo. Hoi!"
Fred half shouted the last word, and as they listened it seemed to run
right away in an echoing, hollow way, to die at last in quite a whisper.
"What a horrible place!" faltered Scarlett. "Let's make haste back. I say,
don't you feel scared?"
"I don't know," whispered back Fred. "I feel as if I do. I'd give anything
to be out in the sunshine again, and I wish we had not come. Let's make
haste."
Scarlett needed no further urging, but pressed on so closely behind his
companion that they seemed to move as one, Fred passing his hand
along the cold stone wall as they went on, up and up the apparently
endless flight of steps, till the landing was reached, and the leader
grasped the door.
"There!" he cried, as they passed into the little room, Scarlett closing

the door behind them, the hinges creaking dismally. "Now for the other
door. I don't seem to mind so much now."
"I don't think I do; but it seems very queer. What's that?"
"Only me. I touched you with my hand."
"It felt so cold on my cheek, it sent a shiver through me. Let's make
haste."
"You go first this time, then. You remember where the door is?"
"Yes, I remember," replied Scarlett. "It was just a few steps over here
and--I say, Fred, it's gone!"
"Nonsense! It can't have gone. Feel about with your hands."
Scarlett felt here and there, and then uttered a low sigh.
"I can't find it. Come over here."
Fred crept to him, and as he felt about in the utter darkness, he touched
his companion, who uttered a cry and rushed away from him.
"Don't be a coward, Scar. It was only I."
"I'm not a coward," cried Scarlett, angrily; "only I fancied something
was going to touch me, and you came so quietly. Where are you?"
"Here. And, I say, you made me turn about, and I don't know which
nay the door is now. But we'll soon find it."
Nothing seems more simple to talk of, but nothing is more confusing
than to be standing in profound darkness, not knowing which way to go,
the slightest deviation beginning the confusion, which seems to
augment.
Fred's attempt to regain touch of their position was simple enough. He
went forward, and after a step or two touched the wall.

"Here we are, Scar," he said. "Come along. The door is just here. Yes;
here it is."
He seized the edge, and it gave forth its dismal creak again.
"That's the wrong